Paramount+ and HBO’s drama operations are being reviewed as part of the post-merger restructuring at Skydance’s direct-to-consumer business. One option under discussion is moving some upcoming Paramount+ dramas to HBO, although the process is at an early stage and no decisions have been made, according to the report.
Sarah Aubrey, who now oversees Paramount+, Max Originals and international programming, and Francesca Orsi, President of HBO Drama Series and Films, are reviewing Paramount+’s drama slate together. Orsi may also work on selected dramas that remain on Paramount+ if they fit HBO’s prestige-drama profile.
Potential candidates for a move include the legal thriller “Discretion,” starring Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning, and “The Best Of Us,” a limited series about 9/11 first responders starring Jeremy Strong. Other projects awaiting official approval have also been discussed. For now, all series designated for Paramount+ remain there, and talks are continuing.
The review follows the combination of Paramount+ and HBO/HBO Max content operations under Casey Bloys, now Co-Chair and Chief Content Officer of Skydance DTC. Paramount+’s former EVP and Head of Originals, Jane Wiseman, is leaving as part of the restructuring announced October 23, with her team reporting to Aubrey under the new structure.
Skydance co-CEO David Ellison has said the company plans to bring HBO Max and Paramount+ together on one platform in the next couple of years. The review of the drama slate is underway ahead of that planned consolidation.
Sources: Deadline.